The project, aimed at the economic and social recovery of the areas of special state interest and undeveloped areas, will be implemented in Sibenik, Zadar and Lika counties. The first agreement from this project was signed with a company owned by Josko Lokas, a returnee from Germany, who is completing the equipment of the first local thematic holiday centre.
The agreement was signed by Sibenik County Prefect Goran Pauk, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Alessandro Fracasetti, and Lokas.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Dutch Ambassador Nienke Trooster since the Netherlands, along with Norway, is the biggest UNDP donor. The Dutch and Norwegian governments will invest more than a million US dollars into some 30 projects in the three counties, which are aimed at boosting employment and businesses in the areas of special state interest and undeveloped areas of the Lika region and Dalmatian hinterland.
One of the goals of the UNDP is to create new jobs and additional income for the local population as well as strengthen family farms, notably in the areas of agriculture and tourism. The funds to be provided by the Dutch and Norwegian government will be used to renew municipal infrastructure and improve social services. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Fracasetti said that of the said amount, USD 700,000 would be invested to develop local businesses.
The construction of the thematic ecological centre in Pakovo Selo marks the start of implementation of projects from a master plan for the development of tourism in Sibenik County, the purpose of which is to encourage the development of rural tourism in the Sibenik hinterland, Prefect Pauk said, announcing continued support for projects promoting rural tourism.